BOSTON -- The number of babies delivered by C-section has reached an all-time high -- up 6 percent in the last three years.
NewsCenter 5's Heather Unruh reported that advocates of natural childbirth are questioning why.
Local midwives sounded an alarm Wednesday, saying many C-sections are done without medical need, and they're calling on Congress to look into the matter.
After two days of labor, Ethan made his way into this world by C-section. When it was his sister's turn, mom Suzanne Reynolds followed the advice of her doctor and had a planned cesarean.
"I did it because I felt at least this way maybe I'd have some control. My first experience I felt totally out of control," she said.
It's happening a lot. According to new national statistics, 28 percent of women are now having C-sections.
Anew survey released at a national conference shows many women who have aren't considering a vaginal birth the next time.
"Forty-seven percent of those mothers said they would have a repeat cesarean, which is intriguing. It's not clear they can envision in the world we're living in now whether you have the option of not have a C-section after you've had the first one," Boston University School of Public Health Dr. Gene Declercq said.
Massachusetts General Hospital Dr. Michael Green said that the rate is rising for a number of reasons -- including the increasing age of pregnant women and underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension. But he acknowledges liability is a big factor. Doctors don't want to be sued when something goes wrong.
"If you attempt a vaginal birth after C-section and you are ultimately successful, you do great. And women recover quicker and its great. On the other hand, if you attempt a vaginal birth and you're unsuccessful, those are the women who, for themselves suffer significantly greater morbidity," Greene said.
Midwife and author Ina May Gaskin warns repeat c-sections have their own dangers -- a message she says is lost in a surgery-happy society.
"Think of piercing, think of tattoos and think of cosmetic surgery. This has taken away the fear of surgery and abdominal surgery carries all the risks of other surgeries, plus it's your vital organs," Gaskin said.
Everyone agrees the rate is too high -- when there's a choice, the decision should be carefully weighed by moms to be.
"I'm happy. I made the decision that was right for me," Reynolds said.
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Heather Unruh Reports On C-Sections
